Top seeds dominate round one of Maharashtra State School Chess; Maisha Parvez opens with a win

Top-seeded players showed their dominance in the very first round of the SBI Life Maharashtra State School Chess Championship. Maisha Parvez, who has won two gold medals and a silver at the Commonwealth chess championship, also began with a win. All eyes are on her play this time because of that record.

The tournament has begun at Rustomjee Cambridge International School in Dahisar West. It is organised by the Indian Chess School. A total of 417 players are taking part in six sections for boys and girls under 7, under 11 and under 15. The seven-round event will run until November 6.

In the under-15 girls' section, the top seed, AFM Maisha Parvez (1991), faced Ananya Jaydeep Dhamal. Maisha won the game comfortably. She is playing for C. P. Goenka International School, and the win strengthened her claim to the title. Pranita Bhava and Khanak Paharia also won their games in the same section.

In the under-15 boys' section, Samvid Pasbola, Vihaan Agarwal and Rayan Merchant began with wins over their respective opponents.

Several names are also being talked about in the younger sections. Laksh Dighe, the top seed from the host school, is expected to do well among the under-11 boys, and Tvesha Jain among the girls. In the under-7 section, Ivan Dubey and Lia Krishnan have been given the top seeds.

Barring a few surprise results and drawn games, seeded players ruled the first round. The tournament is being held under the supervision of International Arbiter P. B. Bhilare. The second round will be the real test for the leaders, and the contests are likely to get tougher in the later rounds.